Infectious disease caused by bacteria, virus, fungi, and parasite are still main problems affecting the country. Indonesia’s health profile in 2015 showed that infectious diseases were main health issue to address, such as TB, HIV/AIDS, malaria, leprosy, diarrhea, measles, diphteria, pneumonia, helminthiasis, and dengue fever.
dr. Tri Wibawa, Ph.D., SpMK from Microbiology Department, Faculty of Medicine UGM said infectious diseases still posed a problem, in addition to the weakening benefits of existing medication. It is predicted that by 2050, the number of people affected by antibiotics resistance would be very high, so would the fatalities that happen because there is no medicine already available.
"It is predicted that fatalities related to antimicrobial resistance in 2050 will reach 4,7 millions in Asia annually, followed by Africa, Europe and America. That shows the microbial resistance to antibiotics is a real threat surfacing before us,” said Tri Wibawa in Grha Alumni UGM on Wednesday (1/2) ahead of the 10th Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) 2017, themed Prevention and Control of Antimicrobial Resistance.
Similarly, dr. Egi Arguni, SpA., Ph.D, had the opinion that the antimicrobial resistance was because the people now find it easy to get antibiotics from pharmacists without a doctor’s prescription, hence uncontrolled use of antibiotics.
"This might be one of the causes for resistance to antibiotics. The medication is no longer effective on individuals. If the phenomemenon get bigger, the resistance gets more extensive, there will be a disaster happening among people,” said Arguni.
dr. Rukmono Siswihanto, M.Kes., Sp.OG(K) said unwise use of medication might lead to antibiotics resistance. So, use of antibiotics without controlled regulations is hazardous, not to mention the assumption emerging among people that antibiotics will cure a disease instead of treating sensitive bacteria.
Prof. Dr. dr. Elisabeth Siti Herini, SpA(K) said the 10th Annual Scientific Meeting would be organised on 4 March 2017 at Faculty of Medicine UGM to increase understanding, awareness and commitment on prevention and control of antimicrobial resistance.
The event to celebrate the 71st anniversary of Faculty of Medicine UGM, the fifth anniversary of UGM Academic Hospital as well as the 35th anniversary of Dr. Sardjito General Hospital is specifically held to know the complexities of antimicrobial use and resistance, as well as to identify the strategy for antimicrobial appropriate use.